Mount Cook: Our most recommended tours and activities

Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Alpine Combo Flight

1. Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Alpine Combo Flight

Fly in a ski plane and a helicopter on the same day for an unforgettable experience of Aoraki/Mount Cook. Enjoy a scenic adventure that includes a glacier snow landing. From take-off to landing, enjoy spectacular views. Fly up the Tasman Valley over the breathtaking blue glacier lake. See the Hochstetter Icefall and the cloud-piercing Aoraki/Mount Cook before landing on the upper snowfields of the Tasman Glacier.  Take time to enjoy this unique alpine environment. These mountains are covered in snow and ice all year round, and the aircraft fully shuts down on landing.  Then, swap aircraft and return to Mount Cook Airport. During the tour, you'll also see Tasman Terminal Lake, Grand Plateau, Plateau Hut, as well as the full length of the Tasman Glacier.

Mount Cook: 3 Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier

2. Mount Cook: 3 Hour Heli Hike to the Tasman Glacier

Enjoy a once in a lifetime heli hiking experience on the Tasman Glacier in the Aoraki (Mount Cook) National Park. Begin your adventure with a flight from Mount Cook airport over the gorgeous Tasman Glacier Lake and ice formations. Venture on to the surprisingly undulating ice terrain, in the shadow of the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, Aoraki, and Mount Tasman. Be equipped with glacier boots and crampons and spend 2 hours in another world in the mountains. On the return flight home, you will fly close to the massive 1,000-meter high Hochstetter Icefall on the eastern face of Aoraki. Take in the picturesque landscapes that are covered in beautiful white snow and ice year round. 

Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch

3. Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch

Experience dramatic glacier lakes, snow-capped mountains, and beautiful alpine walks on a small-group day trip from Christchurch. After pick-up from your hotel, journey to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, located a 4 hours' drive through spectacular and breathtaking landscapes. Visit the historic town of Geraldine. Then discover the heart of Mackenzie Country, the captivatingly turquoise Lake Tekapo, the iconic Church of Good Shepherd, and the well-recognized statue of Sheepdog. Travel through Lake Pukaki and admire stunning views of Mt. Cook from a distance. Enjoy a short scenic hike in the National Park to view the 23.5kms long Tasman Glacier which is the longest glacier in New Zealand before returning to Christchurch.

Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

4. Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Helicopter Ride and Hike

Enjoy a tour that will acquaint you with New Zealand’s biggest glacier and provide you with spectacular helicopter views of the country’s largest mountain, Aoraki or Mount Cook. To start your tour you will fly to your drop-off point on a remote part of the glacier. During your tour, explore amazing ice formations, following your guide as they cut steps in the glacier. Complete your trip with another spectacular scenic flight back to the base of the mountain. Every journey is unique because the glacier is everchanging. Your experienced guides are always finding something new and interesting to show you. Spend up to 2 hours on the ice, weather permitting.

Franz Josef Town: 3-Glacier Helicopter Ride with Landing

5. Franz Josef Town: 3-Glacier Helicopter Ride with Landing

Take in three of New Zealand’s most impressive glaciers during a helicopter ride. Land on the elevated snow landing site to take photos of the spectacular views. Meet at the local partner’s office to check in and attend a safety briefing. Then, following a transfer to a private hangar, you will meet your pilot and board the helicopter for takeoff. Put your headset on to listen to your pilot's guided commentary. Fly over the terminal moraine of the ancient Franz Josef Glacier and up the valley to see the big three from above. The Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are ice rivers that plug New Zealand's longest glacier: the Tasman Glacier. Take in their ice pinnacles and crevasses while flying amongst some of New Zealand’s biggest mountains. Admire Mount Cook in the impressive Southern Alps. Land on an elevated snow landing site to enjoy stunning views of Westland Tai Poutini National Park for 15 minutes. You will have plenty of time to take photos before returning to the hangar.

From Queenstown: Mount Cook Small Group Adventure

6. From Queenstown: Mount Cook Small Group Adventure

At 3724m, Aoraki/Mt Cook is by no means among the world’s tallest but with the nearby Mt Cook village just 750m above sea-level, the mountain can be viewed without any acclimatization whatsoever, and so this tour is perfect for people of all levels of fitness. The guided tour begins with pickups in Queenstown and Frankton, before you then travel through the stunning Kawarau gorge to Cromwell. After making a comfort stop in the quaint township of Omarama (where you have the option to taste one of the best creamy chicken pies in New Zealand), you climb your way through Lindis Pass, one of only 3 alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps. As you exit the Pass, you may catch glimpses of the mighty mountain itself; but before arriving there is much more to see, including what many consider one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Lake Pukaki is one of the bluest lakes you will ever see, and is framed by the backdrop of Aoraki and its brothers in the Southern Alps. The location of several scenes from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Lake Pukaki is a destination in and of itself. You soon pass the delta where the mountain’s various rivers, creeks and streams converge to form the lake, and the mountain continues to grow steadily in stature and grandeur until the shear scale of the view makes you feel powerless. Arriving at the alpine village of Mt Cook and the Hermitage - home of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre - you now have the freedom to explore in whatever way suits your energy levels and budget. Please select the activity you would like to include during the booking process, which are at an additional charge.

Mount Cook: Tasman Glacier & National Park Scenic Flight

7. Mount Cook: Tasman Glacier & National Park Scenic Flight

Discover the real highlights of the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park on this helicopter tour. Soar high above, get breathtaking views and fly the full length of the Tasman Glacier. Fly close to the mountain peaks, and view this incredible alpine region. You will also get amazing views of New Zealand’s highest peak - Aoraki /Mt Cook. Admire hanging glaciers, blue ice, and rocky mountain peaks, with photo opportunities in every direction. Hover over the Tasman Glacier to appreciate the size and scale of New Zealand’s longest “river of ice”, before snow landing on the magnificent Tasman Glacier. Your pilot may shut off the helicopter so you can experience the "sound of silence”.

From Queenstown: Mount Cook and Hooker Valley Day Trip

8. From Queenstown: Mount Cook and Hooker Valley Day Trip

Visit breathtaking locations in Queenstown as you make your way to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Travel with a reliable tour guide who will share stories and rich background knowledge on Queenstown and the Mount Cook area. Start your tour in the stunning city of Queenstown. Drive through the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and marvel at the scenery the Kawarau Gorge has to offer. Stop at the Roaring Meg Lookout to take photos of your stunning view. Then, enter the region of Cromwell, famous for fruits and wine and where you can see huge fields of vines. Next, traverse the majestic Lindis Pass which lies between two valleys against a backdrop of a bright blue sky. This stretch of highway is one of the only three Alpine roads through the otherwise impassable Southern Alps. After taking photos at the top of the pass, drive through the Mackenzie District and visit the township of Omarama. Turning west, you'll enter Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, and Lake Pukaki will emerge in front of you. Proceed to the start of the Hooker Valley Track and depart on a 3-hour self-guided hike with amazing views of Hooker Lake, Hooker Glacier, and Mount Cook. Finish your tour by visiting High Country Salmon as you make your way back to Queenstown.

Canterbury: Mount Aorak/Cook Sightseeing Helicopter Flight

9. Canterbury: Mount Aorak/Cook Sightseeing Helicopter Flight

Take in views of the Aoraki/ Mt Cook National Park on this shared helicopter flight from Canterbury. Dive into sights like the Tasman Terminal Lake with the in flight commentary provided by your pilot. Stop to breathe in the crisp mountain air with a alpine landing. Meet your pilot at the Mount Cook Airport and listen to a short safety briefing. Expereince the thrill of taking off towards the Southern Alps. Admire views of the highest mountain in the country, Aoraki / Mt Cook.  Feel the excitement of landing in the mountains and capture pictures of sweeping views of snowy peaks. Fly over the icebergs of the Tasman Terminal Lake before returning to to Mount Cook Airport.

From Queenstown: Mount Cook Heli-Hike and Tour Combo

10. From Queenstown: Mount Cook Heli-Hike and Tour Combo

Discover everything the beautiful Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier area has to offer on a guided small-group full-day trip from Queenstown. Meet your small group early in the morning and hop on the minivan which will take you to the Tasman Glacier, stopping at some of the area's most iconic sights along the way. Make your way through the Kawarau Gorge, passing the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and of course the famous Roaring Meg Lookout. Drive past sights such as the beautiful Lake Dunstan, Lindis Pass, and the Cromwell wine region, stopping for photos along the way, before arriving in Omarama. Here, spot Merino sheep and sample New Zealand's creamiest chicken pie before continuing to Lake Pukaki, where you can spot several Lord of the Rings filming locations. Next, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with a Tasman Glacier Heli Hike. Combine the excitement of walking on New Zealand’s biggest glacier with the stunning scenic helicopter fly-bys of New Zealand’s largest mountain, Aoraki/Mt Cook. After flying to a remote part of the glacier, follow your guide as they cut steps in the glacier, using skills handed down from New Zealand's mountain pioneers. Finish your hike with another spectacular scenic flight back to the base. After your flight, stop for a quick photo stop in Mount Cook village before continuing to High Country Salmon, a local salmon farm, where you can feed the fish and taste some of the freshest salmon in New Zealand. Stop at Mrs. Jones Suncrest Orchard to try or buy her delicious local fruit or real fruit ice cream before returning to Queenstown with your group.

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What people are saying about Mount Cook

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 391 reviews

The tour was amazing and it ended up being a beautiful day out! The only thing, is the roads are extremely windy. If you get motionsickness at all, would recommend you take something before you travels! I also wish at some of the stops there would be a little bit more time to enjoy, but overall amazing tour! Would definitely go again.

This is a really good tour. I did not have much time in the area but this 12 hour tour was fabulous. Our guide was really lovely and very knowledgable. Hooker Valley was beautiful. We had lots of little breaks which was nice. Bus/Van was very clean and comfortable.

The tour guide/driver was a fountain of knowledge. He was so passionate about the area and looked after us all very well. I would recommend this tour, the places were well chosen

I was really nervous but Megan and Poppy made me feel so comfortable I was able to take the flight. I now will never regret doing it. Thanks Nathalie

Staff were very friendly and informative. They gave us lots of information before and on the flight. Great views and a brilliant experience.